By Joshua Ansah

Ghana have made it to the play-offs stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Africa after Spartak Moscow striker Abdul Majeed Waris and Kwadwo Asamoah gave them a win

Ghana beat Zambia to confirm their place in the next round of the 2014 World Cup qualification for the Caf region.

A first-half goal from Spartak Moscow forward Abdul Majeed Waris gave the Black Stars the lead at half-time before a second-half Kwadwo Asamoah strike doubled the Ghanaians' lead.

Despite a second-half strike from Nathan Sinkala, the two goals were enough to see the four-time African champions through to the next round where they will meet a team yet to be decided in a two-legged play-off tie to represent the continent in Brazil next year.

The Black Stars had taken the lead through a stooping header, directed into the roof of the net from Waris and despite the Zambians looking more comfortable in possession and seeing more of the ball, they failed to make their possession count due to the tight-knit nature of the Ghanaian defensive unit.

The Zambians' creative frustrations seemed to wane in the second half as they created a number of chances early, but failed to convert. A long-range strike from Asamoah gave the Ghanaians a two-goal cushion before Sinkala reduced the deficit with an effort from the edge of the box.

Despite mounting pressure on the hosts, the Zambians failed to secure the equaliser before the full-time whistle.